Walt Takes On Ubuntu

Walt Mossberg, the technology columnist for the Wall Street Journal, finally got around to covering Dell’s Ubuntu systems. After spending some time with Dell’s Inspiron 1420N, Mossberg put together a piece for his blog at All Things D.

You should spend the time to read what he wrote because it is an insightful and well reasoned post that takes a look at Ubuntu in a way that few technologists are willing to or interested in. Mossberg writes his column for people who are not necessarily technology experts, the same people, interestingly enough, that are probably the most interested in cutting the entry costs of buying a computer and that are the least able to deal with the problems that come along with using Windows. Ultimately, Mossberg finds that Ubuntu and, by extension, Linux, is not ready for the “average user”.

While this is not a new opinion or one that is especially surprising, there are a few points worth noting. The first is that the testing was conducted on a notebook, not a desktop computer. This could shade the outcome of the article because notebooks are much more fickle that the average desktop and bring with them a number of issues. Another point worth noting is that while Ubuntu is the logical choice for testing Linux because it is sold on Dell systems, it would have made sense to look at a distribution that uses KDE as well because many people find this experience more Windows-like.

The most discouraging part of the review for Linux fans came when Mossberg points out that doing very simple tasks, like playing an MP3 file or plugging in an iPod, didn’t go so well. This is something that tech savvy users can figure out really quickly (or at least find a work-around), but that will be a major stumbling block for people who are not interested in becoming a tech enthusiast. These issues are the most damning as there are a number of things that non-experts want from their computer and playing an MP3 without learning the difference between VLC, Xine, Totem, and Amarok is one of them.

The article ends with the advice that “mainstream, nontechnical users should avoid Linux”. While overlooks how people can learn how to work Ubuntu pretty easily and that there is a tremendous support community that has encountered every problem that you could possibly dream up, it is not totally incorrect. One detail that I would point out is that if that same nontechnical user does start to use Ubuntu and they have a friend or neighbor that can get them set up, they will have a system that is totally bombproof for months to come. This system won’t be susceptible to the problems that plague Windows, their hardware will be powerful enough the next few generations of the OS, and the system will remain stable and fast for some time. Throw in the advantages of free software and that most problems can be solved with a restart and Ubuntu starts looking pretty attractive.

So yes, Ubuntu and desktop Linux have their “rough edges”, but trying to say that Windows doesn’t is an exercise in futility. If someone new to Linux is willing to keep an open mind, learn a bit about the operating system, and be picky about the hardware that they use than they can have an incredible experience with Ubuntu. I’ve seen it happen and, considering the rate of progress in Ubuntu and other projects, things are only going to get better over time.

Speak Your Mind

tjack

Come on now! He tested a laptop because that is what the majority of people are buying these days. To say that Linux has problems with laptops is not a good sign.

He purchased a pre-installed version of Linux. This is what Linux enthusiasts have been saying all along: get a preloaded preconfigured computer just like most Windows boxes. Well, he did and it still had problems.

Geeks often have no clue whatsoever what the typical user needs or what he expects. For most people, the computer is NOT a toy you spend hours diddling with or going to web forums to ask questions (assuming they can even phrase a decent geek question!). The computer is supposed to be designed to work, as closely to a telephone as possible. Windows approaches that ideal (though still much to far away) much better than desktop Linux does.

This is why Linux is popular in the data center as servers watched over by geeks than it is in the home of non-geeks.

Zeked

Walt is fair to a point, but the Ubuntu offering from Dell has failed because Dell, not because of Linux.

If Dell were to sell a Vista laptop without proper drivers, codecs and applications, would Walt blame Microsoft or would he blame Vista?

Dell has half-a$$ed thrown together a Linux laptop. I can only guess why Dell did such a miserable job on polishing a ‘consumer ready’ device. IMO, Dell apparently has no intention of making a viable Linux computer for consumers.

Walt needs to evaluate Linux on a computer from a company that actually spent some time polishing and refining the OS and apps before dumping it on the consumer.

I am angry with Walt for not seeing through to the origin of blame for his frustrations. I am angry with Dell for such a lackluster attempt to showcase Linux in its product lines.

Shame on both of you!

noone_specific

Walt picked a DELL because, thanks to a powerful and expensive marketing campaign that has above average saturation, MANY uninformed, technophobic, elderly or otherwise foolishly trusting consumers will also buy a DELL.

Yes, there are better choices for a pre-installed Linux laptop, but the ones who would need that are too unskilled to find one, hence DELL.

Zeked

noone

Dell is what Dell is. Walt chose a Dell. My issue is Dell is responsible for QA on Dell products. If there are issues – hardware or software – Dell should carry the blame.

Pointing the finger at Ubuntu ?? ?? This is not a user installation, this is a supposed consumer ready Linux laptop.

OK, first I am not in the USA. I live in Asia, so maybe I see things differently here. Wouldn’t be the first or only…

If Dell had a Vista capable laptop with the same deficiencies as Walt found, most decent reviewers would not find the fault with Microsoft or Vista. Objective and reasoned reviewers would find fault with Dell on deficient quality control.

Apple would never turn out such tripe for consumption. Why in hills name does Dell get a pass on this?

The partnership of Dell and Microsoft is long and profitable. Reading many court cases of anti-trust against MS, I have to question the sincerity of Dell in bringing forward anything other than MS branding. This effort seems to undermine credibility of Linux, but it should, in fact, be a slap at Dell for poor quality control.

Walt found issues and solutions. Why did Dell NOT find these issues and the solutions as well?

My skeptical eye seen too much. But anyhow…

It astounds me there is no mention of fault being with Dell for poor implementation of a Linux laptop. It is NOT rocket science to make Linux work very well on cookie cutter computer systems.

Just a differing opinion that does not seem to be voiced here, or with the original main article.